Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-09-15

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CONTENTS

[01] British MPs to hold talks in Cyprus

[02] Cyprus to take part in Solar Energy Summit

[03] Cypriot MPs fly to Strasbourg

[04] Memorial service for Cypriot youths killed by Turks

[05] UN envoy leaves for Athens, Ankara

[06] European countries may launch Cyprus initiative

1045:CYPPRESS:01

[01] British MPs to hold talks in Cyprus

The delegation of the ''Friends of Cyprus'' Group, UK, is headed by of Lord Bethel, who is accompanied by Labour MP Robin Corbett, and Conservative MPs Antony Coombs and Nigel Evans.

Speaking on arrival yesterday, Lord Bethel expressed concern over the continuing impasse in the peace efforts and the continuing military build-up in both sides.

He stressed that despite recent tragic incidents on the island, the group will intensify efforts for finding a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

He said in talks with politicians in both sides, they will urge the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to make every effort for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The British MPs will be received tomorrow morning by House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou and have separate meetings with political party representatives.

On Tuesday, they will cross into the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus to meet Turkish Cypriot politicians. Coombs will leave on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, they will be received by President Clerides and visit the demarcation line in the old city of Nicosia guided by Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades. Later they will meet the coordinating committee of relatives of missing persons.

On Thursday, they will meet Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides before flying back to London.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1100:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus to take part in Solar Energy Summit

It was reported in the local press that President Glafcos Clerides was planning to go to Harare but due to the situation in Cyprus he cancelled his trip to Zimbabwe.

Heads of governments, ministers and other high-ranking officials from some 100 countries will gather in the capital of Zimbabwe, where the 1996-2005 world solar energy programme will be launched, at the initiative of UNESCO.

The Summit Conference is under the auspices of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, in his capacity as President of the International Solar Energy Committee.

The Summit will be addressed by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and UNESCO Director General Federico Mayor.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot MPs fly to Strasbourg

The Euro Parliament will discuss and approve a resolution on Cyprus, following last month's brutal murders of two Greek Cypriot youths by Turkish troops and extremists, during peaceful anti-occupation demonstrations, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, in Dherynia.

The Cyprus delegation is made up of Yiannakis Matsis, leader of the Democratic Rally party, Vassos Lyssarides, leader of the Socialist EDEK, George Vassiliou, leader of the Free Democrats Movement, Tassos Papadopoulos, Parliamentary Spokesman of the Democratic Party, and Nicos Katsourides, deputy Parliamentary Spokesman of AKEL party.

According to a pres release issued by the Democratic Rally party, Matsis will have contacts with Euro MPs of the European People's Party.

On Tuesday, The Rally party leader will fly on to London to meet Britain's special representative on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay. He will return on Wednesday.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1255:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Memorial service for Cypriot youths killed by Turks

Tasos Isaac, 24, was savagely beaten to death by Turkish extremists during a peaceful anti-occupation demonstration, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, in Dherynia, on August 11, 1996.

Three days later (August 14) in the same place, Turkish troops shot and killed Solomos Solomou, 26, when he tried to lower the Turkish flag.

The memorial service, organised by the victims' families and Paralimni municipality, was held at St Georgios Church in Paralimni.

After the church service, the people visited Paralimni cemetery where they laid wreaths on the tombs of the youths, who sacrificed their lives in protest against the continuing occupation of their homeland for 22 years now.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

In a memorial oration, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou appealed for wisdom and self-restraint, saying that all should follow the line and tactic decided by the responsible leaderships of Cyprus and Cyprus.

The Minister paid tribute to Isaac and Solomou, who sacrificed their lives for the just cause of their country, adding these two heroes will take their place in Cyprus' modern history.

He called for unity in the home front to stop Turkey's designs against Cyprus. ''We must stick together with Greece until the end, with wisdom, determination, and dignity'', he said.

Meanwhile, Cypriot anti-riot police had taken positions in Dherynia to prevent any attempt by anybody to cross into the UN buffer zone.

Measures were also taken by the police of the British military base of Dhekelia, through which travellers head for Paralimni.

A delegation of the Cypriot bikers dressed in black attended the memorial service in Paralimni.

The bikers were the organisers of the first anti-occupation demonstration on August 11.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:05

[05] UN envoy leaves for Athens, Ankara

In the Greek capital, Han who is accompanied by UN resident representative Gustave Feissel, will hold talks tomorrow with Greece' Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

On Tuesday, he will be in Ankara to have talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

In Nicosia, the UN envoy had two rounds of talks with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

He also held a series of meetings with political party leaders from the two sides and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the member-states of the European Union.

In statements before his departure at Larnaca airport, Han said the public statements made by Clerides and Denktash aimed to defuse tension on the island, included ''positive elements''.

However, he admitted that Denktash did not make a statement but he was commenting on Clerides' public statement.

Even in that way, there are positive elements, the UN envoy remarked.

He said from talks with both sides in Cyprus, he ascertained that there is will for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The former South Korean Foreign Minister noted that serious international developments necessitate a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:06

[06] European countries may launch Cyprus initiative

According to local press reports, the ambassadors of the three countries in Nicosia had informed the Cyprus government of their intention to launch a Cyprus initiative, which could appear as an EU initiative.

The EU has recently increased its involvement in the search for a Cyprus settlement by appointing a representative of the EU presidency.

The EU revived interest started with the Italian EU presidency in January 1996 taken over by Ireland in July 1996.

This will be an additional initiative to that already undertaken by the United States, whose efforts for a Cyprus settlement have actually stopped because of the November elections in the United States.

President Clinton's senior adviser told a recent meeting of leading overseas Cypriots that if elected, President Bill Clinton would resume efforts for a Cyprus solution.

According to press reports, President Glafcos Clerides is expected to discuss the possibility of a European initiative with the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Britain, later this month in New York.

President Clerides will be in New York to address the UN General Assembly.

French Prime Minister Alain Juppe stated after meeting Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday, that Europe has a role to play for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He did not elaborate.

The French leader said the UN resolutions on Cyprus offer a good basis for a Cyprus settlement.

The Cyprus government has not yet made any public comment on the reported intention of the three specific European countries to undertake a Cyprus initiative.

Addressing a committee of the World Veterans' Federation yesterday in Nicosia, President Clerides said ''a new initiative is expected in the near future for a compromise solution of the Cyprus problem''. He did not elaborate.

However, he added ''as in the past, our side will approach the initiative positively and courageously. For our fervent desire is to find a solution before the start of negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.''

The EU Council of Ministers has given Cyprus a firm date for the start of membership talks, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Speaking to the press today former Cyprus President Spyros Kyprianou, who is the President of the island's House of Representatives, confirmed that these three countries had shown interest but so far there are no specific information about their suggestions.

Kyprianou, leader of the centre-right Democratic Party, a government partner, called on the foreign powers, which are interested in a Cyprus settlement, ''to direct their efforts to the right direction, Turkey, and not to follow an equal footing policy''.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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